Multi-tasking a must in fall

Sunday

Oct 7, 2012 at 6:00 AM

Paul Rogers ROOTS OF WISDOM

The best gardeners are multi-taskers. They are able to attend to the jobs at hand and yet give some thought to the future. This is a valuable ability, especially in the fall and the spring, times of the year when current demands are urgent and future demands also require our attention.

For example, now there is a need to divide tasks into two categories: those that must be done before the soil freezes, and those that can be done after. In general, the items in each list are similar for all homeowners. The lists do differ because each garden is unique.

For current action, if planting is complete for the year, shut off the supply of water to outdoor faucets, lay out hoses in the sun to soften and drain, then coil and store indoors. Make an inventory of replacements needed for ordering during the winter. Should you have additional or different sprinklers, water wands, timers, or different lengths or kinds of hoses? Make notes that can be converted into research and purchase actions before next spring.

Before tools are stored, they should be inspected for condition, cleanliness and suitability. Are they dirty? If so, they are likely to be rusty by spring. After inspection for fractures and missing parts, they should be sharpened before storing them properly, hopefully by hanging each up securely in a dedicated space.

Does your tool inventory include tools that are specifically designed and sized for your use? Mankind has been involved in gardening for a sufficient number of years so that specialized tools have been designed to help any task to be performed with a minimum of energy. After you have amassed a wish list of replacement and additional tools (perhaps before the holidays), research and prioritize their value to you.

Clean the garden of debris. Compost all waste organic matter except weeds with viable rootstalks or stems packed with seeds. Add lime and compost as a yearly feature of soil improvement program.

Do you have bird feeders or birdbaths that require winter protection? Are containers a part of your landscape scene? Are they frost-proof? Some containers and statuary can represent a sizable investment. Do what is needed to protect them.

Are the spring flowering bulbs all planted? In the spring you will be pleased that you took the time to do so.

Make notes of the tasks that can wait until after the ground freezes. Your list might include the need to prune back overlong tree branches and the long arching shoots of shrubs that, when laden with ice and snow, will be subjected to breakage. Do you have garden structures such as trellises that need inspection and possible repair over winter?

Our time is limited and rainy weekends in October do occur. Divide your chores into those that must be accomplished before the soil freezes and those that can be done later.